Understanding the Difference Between Mote and Moat

Understanding the Difference Between “Mote” and “Moat”

Words can be tricky! Two small words that look very alike are mote and moat. Let’s learn about them.

History

Mote: This word comes from old English. It means a very tiny thing, like a small piece of dust.

Moat: This word also comes from old English. It means a deep, wide ditch, usually filled with water. It is often made around castles to keep bad people away.

How to Use Them

Here’s how to use these words in sentences:

Examples with “Mote”

• There is a mote of dust on the table.
• I saw a mote floating in the sunlight.
• She didn’t notice the mote in her eye.
• A tiny mote was on the book cover.
• The light made the mote in the air shine.

Examples with “Moat”

• The castle had a big moat around it.
• They filled the moat with water.
• The knight jumped over the moat.
• A bridge crossed the wide moat.
• The moat kept the castle safe from enemies.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Remember this trick: Mote is a tiny thing, and tiny words have fewer letters. Moat is bigger and has more letters, just like a big ditch around a castle.

Summary

Mote means something very tiny, like dust. Moat means a big ditch, often filled with water, around a castle. Use fewer letters for small things (mote) and more letters for big ditches (moat).

Now you know how to use “mote” and “moat”! Keep practicing and you will remember it easily.